Seats are still available on various Air Malta flights including those from London and Brussels, Air Malta argued in response to AD’s claims that seats were scarce.

A statement from the airline read that if a particular flight is full, alternatives arrangements are being offered. Air Malta added that there was never a pre-booking arrangement and the system in place is the same as employed in previous elections. To tackle any issues, concerns or complaints, the airline has offered political parties to nominate an Air Malta employee of their trust to act a liaison person between each party and the Air Malta Electoral Ticket Office.

The airline statement clearly read that any employee nominated is expected to continue their day-to-day duties on a normal basis. This representative can only monitor the process and has no facility to pre-book seats.

A daily Flight Availability Report is being provided to each party's nominated representative. This was designed to provide each party with an opportunity to use the information to help Air Malta achieve a smooth process, the statement continued, adding that over 95% of the requests received have been booked.

Air Malta concluded that it offered Alternattiva Demokratika the same opportunity to appoint their representative but the airline did not receive any reply .

AD's claim

Voters are finding it difficult to book flights to Malta for the election, AD spokesperson on EU and International Affairs Arnold Cassola claimed.

“Amongst other cities, Brussels and London seem to be the most problematic,” he argued, alleging that the PN and the PL have pre-booked seats on the national airline for their supporters, making it difficult for those who have not declared their allegiance to find a flight.

The Electoral Commission had asked the political parties to nominate a trusted employee of Air Malta to oversee the applications of voters from the respective parties, Arnold Cassola argued. “Alternattiva Demokratika has refused to avail itself of this offer since we believe that Air Malta employees are paid to work for their company and not for the benefit of PN and PL.”